Comelec allows early voting of media members from April 28 to 30

MANILA, Philippines - Members of media may vote on April 28, 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ahead of election day on May 13.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday that under Resolution 9637 containing the implementing rules and regulations on Local Absentee Voting (LAV), members of media must vote at the Comelec offices where they have filed their applications for absentee voting.

Application forms must be filed in the offices of the Provincial Elections Supervisors or City Election Officers in the provinces, and Office of the Regional Election Director in Metro Manila, not later than March 31, the Comelec added.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said those availing of absentee voting will be able to vote only for national candidates like senators and party-list.

“You can vote only once,” he said. “The penalty is harsh for those who will vote twice.”

Members of media availing of absentee voting must be duly registered voters who will be unable to vote on May 13 due to the performance of duties.

LAV used to cover only government officials and employees and members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces.

The resolution arose from a petition of election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

Media companies must provide the Comelec with the list of employees availing of LAV,  Brillantes said.

Hazard pay for teachers

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged the Comelec to provide hazard pay to teachers to be assigned in poll “hotspots” in  May.

“In hotspot areas where the threat of violence is alarmingly high and poses danger to the teachers, hazard pay must be given to them,” he said.

Marcos said teachers would not shirk their duty when called to perform a task for national interest in the face of danger.

Teachers acting as poll watchers have exemplified unselfish acts of heroism in the past elections, he added.

Marcos has called on the Comelec to give in advance the full election duty pay of teachers. – Sheila Crisostomo, Christina Mendez